For as long as there have been e-readers, I have loudly proclaimed that I will never be convinced by them. I will never forsake my books; the happiness I feel when holding an actual novel in my hands, flicking through the pages and breathing in the scent of the ink.
In 2012, I got an iPad and promptly installed the Kindle app. In fact, I installed all the major reading apps I could find. But did I actually use any of them?
No.
I insisted on lugging 12 books (yes, that’s right, a dozen books) on holiday to the Dominican Republic, even though they threatened to consume the majority of my baggage allowance. I reasoned that I couldn’t use the iPad, because I had so many paperbacks that I needed to get through. I wasn’t going to pay to download them all again.
Almost 18 months later and I’d still never bothered much with the apps. Occasionally I would use iBooks to store PDF documents or copies of manuscripts, but that was as far as it went.
Then, a few weeks ago, I was bored. So I downloaded the Kindle app on my phone, swiftly followed by a copy of Divergent. I read the book in an afternoon, flipping through the pages on my touch screen, racing against the little counter in the bottom corner that told me how much I had left to read.
Fast forward a few weeks and I’m hooked. I’ve already read half a dozen books, mostly on my phone, in amongst my regular paperbacks.
The Kindle app converted me so thoroughly that I was actually thinking about buying a dedicated e-reader over the holidays, if Santa didn’t deliver one in my stocking, although it would be a little unnecessary as I already have two devices that run the app.
Of course, there are various different kinds of e-reader out there, but whether you’re addicted to your Kindle, your Kobo or your Nook, you can’t deny that the possibilities for your reading habit have changed.
So what has changed my mind?
At the moment, the Kindle is still a novelty, but there’s something fabulous about being able to crack open a book whenever I have an idle moment, even if I don’t have one with me. Despite being a voracious reader, I never really got into the habit of carrying my latest novel around, unless I knew for sure I’d have time to read it. But I always have my phone and it’s so easy to dive into the app, flip through a couple of chapters while I’m stuck in a queue or waiting for my computer to log in.
It’s easy to buy books too. There’s something breathless about being able to download a book and have it at your fingertips moments later. When online shopping became popular, I was thrilled knowing that I could order a book on a whim and have it delivered a few days later. This is so much better.
On the downside, checking the special offers is a burgeoning addiction and no doubt I will end up with as many unread stories on my device as there are currently lining my shelves.
But having an e-reader has certainly opened up a wealth of new possibilities and it has increased the time I spend with a good novel. Hopefully it will be a big help as I strive to hit my target of at least 50 books read this year.
I just can’t believe it took me this long to be converted.
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Kristin says
I’ve found that a kindle isn’t a replacement for my beloved physical books, but a nice tool for reading on the go – be it freeing up baggage allowance, letting me take advantage of reading during unexpected downtime, or just shaving a few pounds off the portable library in my purse. Glad you found a love for e-readers!
Amy Lord says
I can see now that an e-reader really does complement my love of books and it makes accessing them that little bit easier and more convenient!
Emma says
The exact same thing happened to me and my boyfriend (who is a librarian). I swore off eReaders only to later discover they are a wonderful way of providing even more ways of enjoying books. The joy!
Amy Lord says
I feel the same, Emma! I’d been struggling a bit with my motivation to keep reading and playing with the Kindle app has given me such a boost. Plus it’s going to help me get through that backlog of classic novels 🙂
Katie Louise says
Oh, I always said I would never buy a kindle. I received one for Christmas one year and just haven’t looked back. I have read actual books since, and the kindle just doesn’t compare to having an actual book, but it makes life so much easier! I love just having lots of books wherever I am!
Amy Lord says
Basically it’s just an excuse for more reading and that can only be a good thing!
Edie says
I have denied the e-reader since I first heard about the kindle back in 2007. How could you possibly enjoy a book without the feel and smell of an actual book.
Well it is 2014 and I have started reading my very first e-book. :O I use the ibooks app on my iPad mini and I hate to admit that I am really enjoying using it.
Funnily enough, the first book I bought was ‘Divergent’. It WAS to be the first book I read in e-version but instead I started Pride & Prejudice as I have never read it before (I know… gasp! shock! horror!) and I thought it were about time I did.
Now off to check out the kindle app.
Amy Lord says
Ah glad you’re enjoying your Kindle, Edie! Of course, it can never replace an actual book, but it does make reading easier sometimes.